COLUMBUS, OHIO – Turns out, Arch Manning is human. 

Read the offseason headlines and watch the hype build from the Paul Finebaum’s of the world and that fact was easily lost in the months leading into the season. Manning might be football royalty, but his Week 1 performance on the road against Ohio State reminded everyone that he’s a college football novice. 

The redshirt sophomore with the famous last name entered the season with two starts under his belt and miles of unfair expectations on his tail. Some penciled him into the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York. Others projected him as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While his commercials played in between drives, Manning struggled between the lines. Reality arrived in Columbus and shattered those preconceived notions. Manning might end up a superstar. But he’s not one yet. Not on the field, at least. 

“For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside,” Sarkisian said of Manning’s preseason hype. “But I’d say let’s finish the book before we judge it. This is one chapter, and we have a long season to go play.”

Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore said before the season that “one had baby wheels and one has super wheels” when asked about the difference between Manning and former starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Well, in the Week 1 loss to the Buckeyes, the game plan had Manning playing with training wheels. The downfield passing attack was non-existent as Manning checked down to a running back more often than he pushed the ball vertically to a wide receiver. 

Manning was 9-of-15 for 38 yards and an interception through three quarters. Not even one of those nine completions were for longer than nine yards. Of his first 10 completions, five were to running back C.J. Baxter. He didn’t complete a pass for more than 10 yards until his 17th attempt. Manning finished the game 17-of-30 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Ten of those 17 completions were to running backs or tight ends. Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore combined for four catches and 41 yards. 

 “Ultimately, not good enough,” Manning said of his performance. “Obviously, you don’t want to be start off the season 0-1. They’re a good team. I thought we beat ourselves a lot, and that starts with me. I’ve got to play better for us to win.” 

Manning will play better, of course. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia praised the young quarterback’s arm talent and potential after the game. No one in football questions Manning’s upside. Vince Young once went 8-of-23 for 86 yards in a loss to Oklahoma in 2004 as large portions of the fan base and media clamored for his move to wide receiver. 

Young turned out alright. So will Manning. The month of September was crafted for Manning to regain some mojo. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to build confidence and chemistry with the rest of the offense in home games against San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston. The next time the Horns won’t be four touchdown favorites won’t be until a trip to Florida on Oct. 4.

Nothing was lost for Texas or Manning in the game against Ohio State. The Longhorns can still win the SEC and the national championship. Both Sarkisian and Day alluded to a potential rematch in December or January. Texas rode into Columbus 20 years ago and knocked off the Buckeyes with Young at quarterback, dealing a death blow to Ohio State’s national championship hopes that season despite it only being Week 2. 

The new 12-team College Football Playoff is different than the BCS era that existed when Limas Sweed caught the game-winning pass in The Shoe. Texas isn’t out of contention. In fact, the Horns could lose one more game and still waltz into the CFP at 10-2. Even 9-3 could be enough if the committee favors schedules over results. 

Manning doesn’t need to be the best quarterback in America because the Texas defense is clearly worthy of the hype. Even with a dreadful offensive performance, the Longhorns had the ball near midfield and a chance to tie the game with two minutes left on the road against what might be the best team in the country. But he must play better for the program’s goals to be achieved.

Sarkisian isn’t worried. Neither should the fan base. This performance against Ohio State won’t define Manning’s career arc. In fact, he might be his origin story. 

“We’re going to be fine,” he said after the game. “We’ve got work to do as a team and as an offense, but ultimately, I’m getting on the plan knowing we’re going to be a good football team. We didn’t win tonight. That’s the life of a competitor. We went for it in a tough place against a tough team. We’ll get back on the horse and play good football this season.”